My thoughts on all things motoring, press releases, reviews & techie stuff, from around the world.
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Purpose

I will try my best to provide detailed info on various cars and what is like to live with them, I have already produced a few for Jaguar-car-forums, I will do my best to be unbiased, but it will be hard for some cars. I will re-produce press releases and copy from other motoring news.

Monday, 26 June 2017

The All-New Kona from Hyundai - More in depth facts and figures of this beautiful looking crossover.

The All-New KONA builds on Hyundai Motor’s SUV credibility with a progressive approach to enhance the brand’s appeal, reach new customers and support the goal to become leading Asian automotive brand in Europe by 2021

Coloured stitching on the seats and steering wheel as well as highlights around the air vents transform the KONA’s interior into a second skin that protects the owner seamlessly

The KONA is a true SUV with four-wheel drive, 7DCT and Hyundai’s latest powertrains: from modern turbocharged petrol engines to the newest generation of diesel technology

The new – and Hyundai first - combiner head-up display with class-leading luminance projects relevant driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight

The Display Audio, another Hyundai first, makes connectivity accessible, allowing passengers to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the seven-inch screen

The new high-end sound system by Krell, featuring eight speakers and an amplifier delivers concert hall sound quality to all passengers

The KONA offers a wide range of active safety features including Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection

“The All-New KONA is not just another car among Hyundai Motor’s established SUV range - it is an important milestone of our journey to become Asian automotive brand number one in Europe by 2021,” says Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe. “With its true SUV genes, a progressive design and premium features, KONA reflects the lifestyle of modern customers, enhancing the brand’s appeal and attracting new customers.”

Hyundai Motor extends its SUV family with a progressive approach

Since the launch of Santa Fe in 2001, Hyundai Motor sold more than 1.4 Million SUVs in Europe becoming an established brand in the SUV segment. The Tucson is the fastest-selling SUV of Hyundai in Europe with more than 200,000 sales since launch in 2015.

Now, Hyundai Motor is extending its SUV family to four members including the Grand Santa Fe, Santa Fe and Tucson by entering the B-SUV segment (Grand Santa Fe is not available in the UK).

The All-New KONA is a real SUV with a bold and progressive design, premium features, accessible connectivity and latest safety technologies. It expresses the lifestyle of modern urban customers and is a confident statement of who you are..

The All-New Hyundai KONA is an important milestone for Hyundai Motor Europe on its way to becoming the leading Asian automotive brand in Europe by 2021 with the launch of 30 new models and derivatives.

Sleek, sharp exterior

The All-New KONA’s front is expressive and powerful, adopting Hyundai Motor’s new family identity, the Cascading Grille. New twin headlamps enhance the visual impact, with the LED Daytime Running Lights positioned on top of the LED headlights. The separated lights at the front deliver a confident, progressive appearance with sleek, sharp shapes. A bold front and rear are emphasised by the car’s wide stance and its voluminous, aggressive body styling. The KONA’s two-tone roof and the choice of ten distinctive exterior colours offer many individual combinations for almost every individual style.

Elegantly tailored interior

The interior is characterised by smooth surfaces on top of the instrument panel that give it a sensuous and refined feel while dark painted parts represent the technological and rugged character. This is complemented by considerable roominess and visibility. A choice between different-accent colours and matching coloured stitching on the seats and steering wheel show the refinement and attention to detail that went into the development of the sophisticated interior.

State-of-the-art powertrains and four-wheel drive

Right from the start, the KONA offers the choice between two turbocharged, small-displacement petrol powertrains with high low-end torque and excellent fuel efficiency: a 1.0-litre T-GDI with a 6-speed manual transmission (MT) and 120 PS (88 kW) (fuel consumption combined (preliminary target value): 5.3 l/100 km; CO2 combined (preliminary target value): 119 g/km*) as standard and a high-power 1.6-litre T-GDI with 177 PS (130 kW) and Hyundai’s self-developed 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT) and four-wheel drive (fuel consumption combined (preliminary target value): 7.3 l/100 km; CO2combined (preliminary target value): 169 g/km*). The optional four-wheel drive of the KONA supports drivers in all kinds of driving situations with up to 50% torque at the rear wheels e.g. on snow, gravel and of course on regular road surfaces. In the summer of 2018, Hyundai will be launching its next generation of efficient 1.6-litre diesel powertrains for the KONA, also available with 6-Speed MT or Hyundai’s efficient, direct-responding 7DCT with optional four wheel drive.

Head-up display and the choice of connectivity

For the first time in a Hyundai, the KONA’s new head-up display projects relevant driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight. Its class-leading luminance and eight-inch image size enable not only effortless daylight visibility but also the faster processing of information while keeping attention on the road ahead.

A very high degree of connectivity for smart devices also adds to the All-New KONA’s appeal. The optional eight-inch infotainment system integrates all navigation, media and connectivity features, supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.. The system comes with a seven-year free subscription to LIVE Services, offering updated information in real time: weather, traffic, speed cameras and online searches for points of interest.

Another Hyundai first in the KONA is Display Audio: passengers have the option of switching their smartphone’s content on to the system’s seven-inch display via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With this function they can use the phone's built-in navigation capabilities, make phone calls, dictate messages or listen to their favourite music. The system provides entry-level customers with more accessible connectivity.

Hyundai Motor is the only car manufacturer to make its own steel for the global production of its vehicles, with great benefits for the All-New KONA, i.e. a strong, light body that enhances the dynamic performance and increases passenger safety through the use of high-strength steel, a broad appliance of hot stamping and 115 metres of structural adhesive.

02. Design

The All-New KONA continues Hyundai’s new design identity while adding its own progressive character to create a unique proposition in the sub-compact SUV segment. With its true SUV DNA, strong design and premium features, Hyundai Motor aims to attract new, modern customers.

Exterior design

The design of the all-new KONA is characterised by its distinctive high-contrast fender cladding and the sensuous and muscular surfaces atop a stable and wide stance.

At the front the twin headlamp design created by the LED day time running lights positioned on top of the LED headlights that are integrated into the cladding create an unique, progressive appearance.

The All-New KONA also features Hyundai Motor’s new family identity, the Cascading Grille with a mesh pattern, at the front that enhances its expressive and dynamic appearance. Its compact and agile character is emphasised by the sleek profile with short rear overhangs and wing type fenders that suggest forward direction. A roof rack enhances the sleek roof line and enhances active lifestyle capability for example by mounting a roof carrier.

The All-New KONA features silver matte accents to enhance the refined character, featuring framing of the fog lights and lower air intakes, an accent line on the side and the skid plate at the rear. Air curtains at the either side of the front bumper enhance aerodynamics by reducing turbulences in the wheel arch area.

At the rear, the design theme of the front is reflected featuring the unique wrap around cladding that house the indicator and reversing lights and distinctive graphical elements including the slim LED rear lights. The All-New KONA’s rear spoiler features an integrated LED brake light.

With its wide (1,800 mm) and low stance (1,550 mm), the KONA has a bold appearance on the road, further underscored by the 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels (Tyre size: 235/45R18). The All-New KONA is also available with 17” alloy wheels (Tyre size: 215/55R17) as well as 16” (Tyre size: 205/60R16) alloy and steel wheel.

This low and wide stance is further supported by its length of 4,165 mm and a wheelbase of 2,600 millimetres.

The KONA’s two-tone roof offers many exterior colour combinations and an individual choice for almost every personal style. Ten exterior colours can be combined with two roof designs for a total of twenty colour combinations. The roof and exterior mirrors are available in Phantom Black or Dark Knight (dark grey). The exterior colours available for the Kona are Phantom Black, Chalk White, Lake Silver, Dark Knight, Pulse Red, Tangerine Comet, Acid Yellow, Blue Lagoon, Ceramic Blue and Velvet Dune (light grey).

Interior design

The KONA’s interior design reflects the exterior theme featuring smooth, contoured surfaces on top of the instrument panel contrasting with the dark painted parts representing the technological and rugged character. The colour theme offers customers the chance to tailor their own style with distinct colours: Orange, Lime and Red. The colour accents are featured on the air vent surrounds, around the gearshift, the engine start button ring, the stitching on the seats and steering wheel. All interior colour options come with a black ceiling. The Lime and Red options are moreover available with coloured seat belts as well as glossy black interior door handles and steering wheel spoke. The semi-perforated leather steering wheel adds to the KONA’s stylish, high-quality interior. Owners have the option of tailoring the KONA’s interior to suit their taste, expressing their unique temperament and independent lifestyle.

The floating screen of the optional eight-inch navigation touchscreen on the dashboard integrates all navigation, media and connectivity features and thanks to its ergonomic position allows drivers to stay tuned to the traffic ahead at all times. The climate and temperature control is positioned conveniently in the centre console and can easily be operated via the dials without distracting the driver.

The All-New KONA offers several features for maximum passenger convenience. The optional heated steering wheel provides warmth and comfort even in the coldest weather, while a smart key and push-button ignition allows the driver to turn the vehicle on and off with the simple touch of a button. The KONA’s power seats dispose of an 8-way electric adjustment and 2-way lumbar support system, which provides optimised seating positions for passengers of diverse physiques. The front seats moreover feature a 3-step ventilation system for a convenient ride in hot weather conditions.

The All-New KONA features a line-up of downsized turbocharged engines to increase efficiency while boasting driving dynamics. The All-New KONA is a real SUV by offering customer the choice to opt for four-wheel drive and a smooth and efficient seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT).

New downsized1.0 T-GDIand 1.6 T-GDI petrol engines

The in-house developed, downsized 1.6 T-GDI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a performance of 177 PS (130 kW) and 265 Nm torque handles the urban driving environment with ease and is not afraid of ventures into the countryside: 100 km/h are reached in only 7.9 seconds. The KONA comes equipped with Hyundai Motor’s newly developed, compact four-wheel drive and the smooth-shifting 7DCT.

Drivers seeking more economical mobility have the option of a downsized 1.0-liter T-GDI 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 120 PS (88 kW) and 172 Nm. A turbocharger with an electronically-controlled waste-gate actuator improves fuel efficiency by lowering pumping losses as well as improving throttle response and low-end torque. The unit features a six-hole GDI injector, pressured to a higher-than-average 200 bar, securing a clean combustion and improving fuel economy and emissions. The engine is offered with front-wheel drive and 6MT.

New U 1.6-litre diesel

Within a year of the launch, the KONA’s powertrain line-up will be further expanded with the addition of a newly developed, efficient 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine available with two power outputs: A regular 115 PS (85 kW) (preliminary) version with a 6MT and front-wheel drive. The high-power diesel version provides 136 PS (100 kW – preliminary) and powerful 320 Nm in combination with a 7DCT and the choice between four-wheel and front-wheel drive.

The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission

Hyundai Motor introduced its first 7-speed dual-clutch transmission in 2015, combining the benefits of automated and manual transmissions. The 7DCT provides an improvement in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of up to 20% compared with a conventional six-gear automatic transmission, while acceleration performance was increased by up to 10%.

The 7DCT consists of two dry clutches and an actuator for each clutch. Engine power is transferred independently to the odd and even gear train so that the driver is always ready to shift to the next gear without any torque interruption. For optimised responsiveness, the electric motor-driven actuator is applied, while external shock absorbers improve the noise, vibration and harshness levels during driving.

In combination with the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, the All-New KONA offers two drive modes: normal and sport. In sport mode there is a different shift pattern, with gears being held longer before shifting.

Ride and handling

The development engineers have designed the All-New KONA with a good balance between power and comfortable ride and handling qualities in addition to agility and nimbleness.

The KONA offers customers a true SUV experience thanks to a ground clearance of 170 mm. Its elevated seating position ensures better visibility for drivers and increases driving comfort. At the same time, the lowered interior floor and the optimised tunnel part of the SUV platform allow for a spacious interior which further adds to the Kona’s versatility. The optional four-wheel drive benefits from an adjusted transfer mounting angle, thus improving the turbo engine's performance.

The low, wide stance of the KONA not only catches the eye and ensures a strong appearance on the road, it also improves ride and handling capabilities – form follows function.

Great care has also gone into the development of the new suspension system. The McPherson strut in the front with its refined geometry delivers a refined body movement on rough roads for a comfortable ride that absorbs shocks before they reach the interior.

The coupled torsion beam axle in the rear of the two-wheel drive KONA is characterised by its ride comfort and sporty handling feel thanks to its high-stiffness torsion beam. The All-New KONA with four-wheel drive feature a multi-link rear suspension which helps to optimise ride and handling, maximising stability during accelerated cornering with the dual lower arm-type multi-link. Advanced Traction Cornering Control for four-wheel drive directs understeering and improves the vehicle’s agility and stability by controlling both traction and damping while accelerating in curved sections.

Strong, lightweight body

Hyundai Motor is the only car manufacturer to make its own steel for the global production of its vehicles, with benefits for the All-New KONA, which features a strong, light body that enhances the dynamic performance and increases passive passenger safety. The ultra-high-strength steel ensures highest rigidity while the broad appliance of hot stamping and 115 m of structural adhesive improve stiffness while reducing weight.

Despite the compact exterior, the safety zone of the KONA’s body structure has been maximised and further improved by a ring-shaped cabin structure that disperses crush energy in various directions in the event of a collision and reduces the impact for passengers. The multi-load pass structure also disperses crush energy and works towards the goal of achieving optimal passive safety.

04. Connected and caring

The All-New Kona offers customers advanced connectivity features to enhance seamless integration of your smartphone, making operation more intiuituve and safe while driving. Customers can choose between three systems. The Standard Audio system with a five-inch monochrome TFT screen featuring radio, Bluetooth connectivity, AUX-in and USB connection. The Display Audio system with seven-inch capacitive colour LCD touchscreen integrated rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple Car Play and Android Auto or the third option, the eight-inch navigation system includiing rear view camera with dynamic guidelines, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 7-year subscription to LIVE services, 3D maps, and Lifetime MapcareTM**. Additionally, there is a central information screen located in the center of the instrument cluster between the two dials, available as a 3.5” Mono TFT LCD display (standard) or 4.2” TFT colour display (optional).

Accessible connectivity through Display Audio

The Display Audio is a Hyundai first and offers customers accessibile connectivity with a seven-inch high-resolution colour LCD touchscreen to connect smartphones via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows passengers to use the navigation capabilities of their smartphone without the need for built-in car navigation. Users can also make phone calls, dictate messages or listen to their favourite music. Additionally the Display Audio features an integrated rear view camera with dynamic guidelines.

8-inch Navigation system offers everything you need

The optional eight-inch infotainment system in the All-New KONA integrates all navigation, media and connectivity features, allowing drivers to always stay tuned to the traffic ahead. It also provides both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling users to connect their devices to deliver and control music, telephone or navigation functions on-screen. Also included is a free seven-year subscription to LIVE services offering updated information in real time about weather, traffic and speed cameras, plus online searches for points of interest. The navigation system also features 3D maps and Hyundai Motor’s unique Lifetime MapcareTM** with free annual map and software updates included. To enhance vehicle operation the system includes a rear view camera with dynamic guidelines.

Wireless inductive charging

To ensure that occupants’ phones are always charged, the KONA also provides a wireless inductive charging pad (Qi standard) for mobile phones. The phone’s charging status is visualised with a small indicator lamp above. To ensure the phone will not be forgotten inside the car, the central display in the instrument cluster will show a reminder when switching off the car.

For further connection of your devices the KONA comes standard with USB port and AUX jack.

Head-up display with class-leading luminance

For the first time in a Hyundai, the KONA’s new combiner head-up display (HUD) projects relevant driving information directly to the driver’s line of sight . This allows faster processing of information while keeping attention on the road ahead.

With a projected image size of eight-inch at two metre distance and class-leading luminance of more than 10,000 candela per square metre, the new HUD guarantees best visibility in different light conditions. The HUD can be adjusted in angle and height to ensure optimum visibility for individual needs. Once activated via the button beside the steering wheel, the combiner deploys vertically and disappears into the dashboard when not in use. While driving, the HUD supports safe driving by displaying information such as speed, navigation commands and the fuel level as well as safety-related warnings from assistance systems such as the Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Detector. Information about the audio mode and radio are also projected.

High-end sound system by Krell

Today’s customers like to listen to their favourite soundtrack in their car, for this reason the KONA offers a high-end sound system by audio manufacturer Krell featuring eight speakers including two 20 mm tweeters, four 160 mm woofer speakers, one 100 mm centre speaker and a 200 mm subwoofer speaker. The eight-channel amplifier delivers 45 Watt per channel to maximise the audio experience inside the car.

The All-New KONA is fitted with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, an advanced active safety feature that alerts drivers to emergency situations, braking autonomously if required. Using front radar and camera sensors, AEB operates in three stages. Initially warning the driver visually and acoustically, it controls the brake according to the collision danger stage, and applies maximum braking force to avoid a collision or minimise damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system is activated when a vehicle or pedestrian is sensed in front of the car, operating at speeds of 8 km/h or above.

Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) (standard)

The Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) alerts the driver in unsafe movements at over 60 km/h by sensing the car’s position. It sounds an alarm before the car moves over white, grey and blue lines as well as Bott’s dots on the road, and warns the driver acoustically and visually before inducing corrective steering to guide the driver back to a safe position.

High Beam Assist (HBA)

When switched to automatic mode, High Beam Assist (HBA) detects both oncoming vehicles and vehicles in the same lane ahead at night, and changes to low-beam as appropriate, reducing blinding effects on other drivers. Whenever there are no vehicles detected, the system automatically reactivates the high beams,

Driver Attention Alert (DAA) (standard)

Driver Attention Alert (DAA) raises safety and convenience to an entirely new level by continuously monitoring and analyzing driving patterns through data inputs such as the steering angle, steering torque and vehicle position in the traffic lane. When a pattern of fatigue/distraction is identified, DAA gets the driver’s attention with an audible alert and pop-up message suggesting a break.

Blind Spot Detection (BSD)

Also using radar, the Blind Spot Detection (BSD) monitors the rear corners and, if another vehicle is detected, a visual alert appears on the exterior mirrors. If the driver then activates the indicators, an audible signal is emitted. This also applies to lane change situations in which a vehicle is detected.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)

Using the rear corner radar, the Rear Cross Traffic Collision Alert (RCTA) reduces the risk of collision with approaching traffic when reversing out of narrow areas with low visibility. Using radar to scan a 180-degree area behind the vehicle for approaching cross-traffic, RCTA alerts the driver visually and audibly.

Highest Passive Safety

The All-New KONA benefits from superior rigidity through the application of high strength steel, high impact energy absorption and minimised distortion in order to protect passengers in the event of a collision.

Thanks to an enlarged area for the appliance of hot stamping and a ring-shaped cabin shell structure with ultra-high-strength steel, the safety zone has been enlarged for top crashworthiness. The multiload-pass structure of the cabin disperses energy in the event of a collision in various directions and reduces the impact.

Around the interior of the Kona a total of six airbags are installed. - two front airbags, two side airbags and two curtain airbags from first to second row protecting both driver and passengers.

**Lifetime MapCare™ is the commercial term for Hyundai’s subscription to the MapCare™ programme with which annual map updates are assured for the eligible Hyundai vehicles for a minimum period of ten years after the model’s end of production.

Please note that UK vehicle trim specifications may differ. Full UK line-up and pricing will be announced in due course.